Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread group of viruses that can infect various parts of the body. While many HPV infections are asymptomatic, certain types can lead to health concerns. The HPV vaccine was developed to offer protection against some of these types, aiming to reduce the incidence of specific HPV-related diseases.
Understanding HPV and Warts
Human Papillomavirus encompasses over 200 related viruses, each identified by a specific number (e.g., HPV-1 or HPV-6). These viruses can cause abnormal cell growth, leading to warts on the skin or mucous membranes. The type and location of the wart depend on the specific HPV strain involved.
Common warts, often found on hands and feet, are rough, grainy bumps that may have small black dots. These are primarily caused by low-risk HPV types like HPV-1, HPV-2, HPV-4, HPV-27, and HPV-57. In contrast, genital warts are soft, flesh-colored or whitish-gray growths that appear in the genital or anal areas, predominantly caused by HPV types 6 and 11. High-risk HPV types, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, are associated with certain cancers.
What the HPV Vaccine Targets
The Gardasil 9 vaccine protects against specific HPV types, targeting nine distinct HPV strains: types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. These types are responsible for the majority of HPV-related health issues the vaccine aims to prevent.
HPV types 6 and 11 are low-risk strains that cause approximately 90% of genital warts. The vaccine’s protection against these types significantly reduces the occurrence of these common lesions. Gardasil 9 also targets high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, which are linked to various cancers. HPV-16 and HPV-18 alone are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers, and the other high-risk types covered contribute to an additional 10% to 20% of cases. This broad coverage helps prevent several types of cancer, including those affecting the cervix, anus, vulva, vagina, penis, and throat.
HPV Vaccine and Hand Warts
The HPV vaccine does not prevent common warts that appear on hands. This is because the specific HPV types causing hand warts differ from those targeted by the vaccine. Common warts on the hands are caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27, and 57. These HPV strains are not included in the Gardasil 9 vaccine.
The vaccine’s primary purpose is to protect against the HPV types most commonly associated with genital warts and certain HPV-related cancers. While the vaccine offers significant protection against these conditions, it does not prevent the common warts found on areas like the hands or feet.